Canada Geese - Alberta / Edmonton

[Kinderchick]

The Kinderchicklets and their teacher have been watching Mama Goose in Edmonton this morning. She seems to be buried under a whole lot of snow! We sure do hope that she is okay and that her eggs are okay too!

[Kinderchick]

There were some comments stating that only 6 eggs are seen - but I haven't caught her off the eggs . . and the comments about 6 eggs are all from anonymous sources.

Early last week, I did see 8 eggs and even thought I might have seen 9. But the last time I observed her up and turning her eggs, which was sometime yesterday, I did count 7 eggs. So I'm not really sure now,  how many eggs she still has.

Does anyone know why Mr. Goose didn't jump in and put that neck pecker in his place? I would have thought they'd have been more protective of their mate & nest. (but I clearly know nothing about the nesting habits of Geese)

And I have no idea why Papa Goose did not intervene when when "neck pecker" was around, although I haven't seen "neck pecker" around for a few days. Maybe his mate has eggs that have begun to hatch over in their nest?  

[Jo]

This afternoon mama goose was picking up bits of feathers/fluff to stuff under (not sure of what the proper terms would be). The sun seems to be shining and I haven't noticed rain today.

There were some comments stating that only 6 eggs are seen - but I haven't caught her off the eggs . . and the comments about 6 eggs are all from anonymous sources.

Apparently the eggs are ready to hatch any day now.

Does anyone know why Mr. Goose didn't jump in and put that neck pecker in his place? I would have thought they'd have been more protective of their mate & nest. (but I clearly know nothing about the nesting habits of Geese)

[Kinderchick]

Nice to see Mother Goose back on her eggs, keeping them safe and sound!

[moka]

She and her mate were moving the eggs around then they both took off.

[dodobird]

Wouldn't that be nice after all poor mother Goose has been through.
Fingers crossed.

[Kinderchick]

Look - she's back!!!

Woo Hoo!!! Yes, dodobird! She IS back! Rolled her eggs, tucked them in and lay down on them!    I did, however, only count 7 eggs and apparently there were 8 a few days ago. One looked as if it had a pip and maybe even a little crack. We may have a hatch, before we know it!

[Elaine L]

Yes, good old Mama Goose is back!  It is nice to see that all goes well here, considering the saddness and upheaval with our falcons in other areas of the world.

[dodobird]

Look - she's back!!!

[Kinderchick]

Thanks for your reassuring words, as well, allikat. Yes, I have been reading the comment board below the webcam window and did not see any comments about posters hearing geese near by. Most of the posters seemed to be concerned about Mother Goose being gone for so long. But then, as Elaine said, the weather is Edmonton is sunny and warm today. And as you have said, I guess Mother Goose does know what she is doing... So, hopefully we'll have a few goslings by Sunday!

[Ellie]

I have been bewildered about the absense of Mother Goose also.  Seems like the "neckpecker" hasn't been around lately.  If the eggs aren't going to hatch I wouldn't have thought that "mama" would have bothered to cover them.  Waiting game for sure for us.  Nature is at work for sure.

[allikat]

Kinderchick:  There is a comment board below the webcam window.  Some of posted that they can hear a goose or geese nearby.  Also, keep in mind that Mom has been incubasting, been pecked up and been pestured, so, she needs to get her strength up by feeding.  Plus, we have to leave this up to the Geese as they know what they are doing. 

[Kinderchick]

...I have not seen anything on the Goose website to indicate that this is unusual behavior for the geese, so I am thinking she will return shortly.

Okay, thank you for your reassuring words, Elaine. That's kind of what I told the Kinderchicklets before they left for home at noon. But I was wondering if I was just trying to shelter them a bit from the reality of life and nature.

[Elaine L]

Kinderchick, I have been watching the nest all morning, too.  It is true that Mama Goose has been gone for over three hours, but it is a nice day here in Edmonton, sunny and about 7 above, so I am thinking that Mom knows what she is doing, and is taking a much-needed break to relax, eat as much as possible, and have a nice swim.  I saw the crow and a sparrow come by and investigate, but they looked pretty nervous about sticking around, so I think there are geese in the vicinity, and possibly Mom is one of them.  I have not seen anything on the Goose website to indicate that this is unusual behavior for the geese, so I am thinking she will return shortly.

[Kinderchick]

I am wondering what has happened to Mother Goose? The Kinderchicklets watched her nearly all morning on one of the computers in their classroom. When they arrived at school, she appeared to be keeping them nice and warm and cozy, by laying on them. At around 9:00 am, she stood up and turned all of the eggs, then lay back down on them. At about 10:00 am, she stood up, worked very hard at covering them all up with hay, then left the nest and hasn't returned. About a half hour after she left, a crow came along and appeared to be pecking at the nest for a few minutes, then left. The eggs have not been covered for over 3 hours now. What is the weather like in Edmonton? Isn't that a very long time to leave them uncovered?  The hatch date was set for this weekend. I wonder if she has abandoned her nest?